Comment if you like. As far as NTRP rating goes you could say Im a 5.5-6.0 out of college and playing regional open tournaments for prize money, and try to play some Futures circuit tournaments when I get a chance to play them.

Were you a 5.5 in College playing D2? Isn't 5.5 surely D1 level? Anyway.....you have some very nice strokes, although they looks pretty mechanical you obviously get great depth and power on the ball. Film some points! I wanna see some FH and BHs together lol...

Guys, don't look at the ball, it will apear to be slow in video. Instead, look at how clean, how consistent and more importantly, how hard he hit every ball. And how good the footwork to setup the shot and weight transfer, good stuff.

i am not too familiar with that self assess system.
i thought 5.5 are very powerful and great players.

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I think he is is legit 5.5. He had a national ranking of 43 in D2 last year if you look him up. I didn't look up his whole record so it could be even higher. Most people would agree that the very top of D2 players would be a 6.0. Also he may have improved since last year.

Haha it is interesting to see both the positive and negative comments on this, as expected. Anyways, thanks to those who understand tennis better and can give some kind words. For those who think im not what I say, I dont know what to tell you but youll just have to look up results on the internet I guess. And im sure you understand playing points is much much different than just hitting because you have to move well and execute under pressure. This is just basic hitting. But I will say I missed like 2 balls total from both videos combined:grin: As for recent video of me, yeah this is all I got and its from about 2 or 3 years ago. Some of you are correct, I play more aggressively now although not much has changed in the way of trying to play very steady and patient, but indeed you should all understand that playing consistent and being able to run everything down is the way to succeed in tennis. Many players at any level need to realize that

Again, thanks for the compliments. Maybe someday I could get the 2007 version of my hitting on but I am a newb with this technology so probably not.

Just some observations. I'm in no position to evaluate you b/c, although it's not always easy to tell from video, you are clearly a good player and much better than me.

I'm guessing your backhand is your better shot. Looks like you get more power with it.

It looks like you have a short take back on your forehand side. That's good for playing against hard hitters b/c you can set your shot up faster but it robs you of some power.

What grip are you using on your forehand?

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Thats actually a really accurate assessment, youre exactly right on both things. My forehand is different now than 2 years ago and im hitting it much more aggressively. Whats the grip- its pretty close to western, but probably not full.

Is the sound coming off the racquet from the poly? What racquet is that? Your forearm must be pretty strong to hold your takeback that way and have penetrating shots.

edit: Just realized they're synthetic strings from your signature

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No I think you are right actually, because this is two years ago and I used different string back then. The racquet is the old Head Ti Radical and used it for about 8 years. Now Ive been using the Flexpoint radical for about 2 years

thanks lol. Speed is my strength, too bad I dont have points on video here. I dont see how people are saying my ball is so "slow", but I understand I suppose. I do make up for power by running balls down better than most people I play.

No I think you are right actually, because this is two years ago and I used different string back then. The racquet is the old Head Ti Radical and used it for about 8 years. Now Ive been using the Flexpoint radical for about 2 years

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My friend is a 4.5-5 and he leads up his fxp radical. Do you? Just wondering if lead's necessary to hit penetrating shots at that level.

I would have to say you are certainly a 5.5, if not better. Your forehand looks a lot like mine, albeit more consistent and powerful. I enjoyed the video especially because your forehand is similar, I suppose I can probably learn things from it. Thanks for the videos, you are a 5.5, despite what others have said. Good luck with the futures!

Haha it is interesting to see both the positive and negative comments on this, as expected. Anyways, thanks to those who understand tennis better and can give some kind words. For those who think im not what I say, I dont know what to tell you but youll just have to look up results on the internet I guess. And im sure you understand playing points is much much different than just hitting because you have to move well and execute under pressure. This is just basic hitting. But I will say I missed like 2 balls total from both videos combined:grin: As for recent video of me, yeah this is all I got and its from about 2 or 3 years ago. Some of you are correct, I play more aggressively now although not much has changed in the way of trying to play very steady and patient, but indeed you should all understand that playing consistent and being able to run everything down is the way to succeed in tennis. Many players at any level need to realize that

Again, thanks for the compliments. Maybe someday I could get the 2007 version of my hitting on but I am a newb with this technology so probably not.

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No matter what these guys may say, the truth is you have very fine strokes, and more importantly your results speak for themselves.

My friend is a 4.5-5 and he leads up his fxp radical. Do you? Just wondering if lead's necessary to hit penetrating shots at that level.

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I have never used led actually, no. Alot of players do though, and if I knew anything about equipment specifics and such im sure id be doing things differently myself. Different rackets play different though, and so you dont need lead if you just find the right stick. Most high level players are using heavier rackets the way it is.

I have never used led actually, no. Alot of players do though, and if I knew anything about equipment specifics and such im sure id be doing things differently myself. Different rackets play different though, and so you dont need lead if you just find the right stick. Most high level players are using heavier rackets the way it is.

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Just curious, seeing that you have a 2hbh to make up for the light-weight racquet, do all of your one-handed bh peers play with heavier sticks? I'm new to the game and haven't been to any tournaments.

The take back on your FH reminds me of Blake--though you obviously hit with a higher trajectory. You get good depth and spin.

The take back on your BH reminds me of the Williams sisters--it looks somewhat mechanical and at times you seem to struggle with depth.

Overall, I can see that your game is based on grinding.

Good luck this summer with the Futures. Make sure you build on your strengths and get as fit as you can. There is no need to play around with your strokes. Work on your physical and mental strength and the results in the Futures will come. Be patient and persevere.

5.5 are very good players. I don't think that camera angle does the guy justice. He isn't really punishing the ball there at least off the forehand wing. But you can't say there is anything 'wrong' with his strokes..

Were you a 5.5 in College playing D2? Isn't 5.5 surely D1 level? Anyway.....you have some very nice strokes, although they looks pretty mechanical you obviously get great depth and power on the ball. Film some points! I wanna see some FH and BHs together lol...

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A top 50 DII player, as he said he is, is at least as good as an average D-1 player, if not better. There are many D-2 players drafted into the NFL every year, and those are your top D-2 football players.

Love the strokes tony. I think your backhand is actually more powerful than the forehand. Your backhand is great, I think you can get even more power by bending those knees a little bit and accelerate up. The forehand is very good as well. It seems to me that you brush up more on the forehand than you do on the backhand. I think if you can just drive the forehand stroke even more you will be able to hit it with a lot more power. These of course are all just minor tweeks to good fundamentals that you have.

thanks lol. Speed is my strength, too bad I dont have points on video here. I dont see how people are saying my ball is so "slow", but I understand I suppose. I do make up for power by running balls down better than most people I play.

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I would have guessed that. Your type of style looks to be the very consistent excellent placement hitter with less power than most at your level. If i am right, you probably win most of your points by hitting a million balls back forcing an error and also having the occasional backhand winner.

Definitely at least 5.5 based on his credentials. Dang, double bagels over the number 1 guy from Gustavos? That's pretty good.

His power is pretty decent, it's just that 1) people are used to only seeing the pros hit on TV/internet, and 2) the sound is pretty weak. If he were hitting indoors his power would seem more impressive.

A top 50 DII player, as he said he is, is at least as good as an average D-1 player, if not better. There are many D-2 players drafted into the NFL every year, and those are your top D-2 football players.

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Although the guy probably would beat me more often than lose, I did have a win last summer in a tournament final over a player who made the spring Division 1 singles tournament. I wont mention his name but he played #1 for Minnesota last year and did well, although this year he has done poorly due to a major injury and has played in the middle of their lineup.

very good swing and contact. takeback looks a bit stiff, but that's not a big deal. i agree that results speak for themselves. what about your serve? any vids on that?

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thanks, I do not have a vid of my serve, I was lucky enough to figure out how to even get this uploaded actually; im not very tech saavy. My serve is admittedly also not powerful but consistent and I place it well. I pretty much thrive on the running and groundies you see here, with recently being a bit more aggressive than back in these vids.

Love the strokes tony. I think your backhand is actually more powerful than the forehand. Your backhand is great, I think you can get even more power by bending those knees a little bit and accelerate up. The forehand is very good as well. It seems to me that you brush up more on the forehand than you do on the backhand. I think if you can just drive the forehand stroke even more you will be able to hit it with a lot more power. These of course are all just minor tweeks to good fundamentals that you have.

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Thanks for the comments. I think you are right on all you said, and I have made some changes to my forehand in the last two years since these videos.

Okay I wanna see topspin, Tony, all topspin! Okay now I wanna see flat, all flat, Tony!

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Haha yeah it is funny to listen to him at some parts in these. He is a little old fashioned but definitely knows technique. It is funny how he doesnt like my "flat" strokes because im still mainly hitting them with topspin but just flattening them out more. Also, the guy im hitting with hit several balls into the wrong half and if I didnt hit inside out the guy would start yelling at me "forehands, all forehands!" lol

Thanks everyone for the analysis and compliments. Feel free to say anything that comes to mind, I will listen

Dang, double bagels over the number 1 guy from Gustavos? That's pretty good.

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Haha oh you found that from my senior season? Yeah, I had a really good match that day, it was fun. He is a good player and Gustavus is a very good team, id reccomend anyone to go there if they are looking in the area and not going Division 1 or something. Their coach is one of the best youll ever come across

TonLars, thanks for sharing your vids. I'm only a 5.0 and regularly play against players that hit similar to you. Great 2hbh. One suggestion I have for the fh is maintain a "quiet" head and get lower, stay "on" the ground through the stroke for more penetration and better placement.
Since this was taken couple of years ago, you probably do this now.

Haha oh you found that from my senior season? Yeah, I had a really good match that day, it was fun. He is a good player and Gustavus is a very good team, id reccomend anyone to go there if they are looking in the area and not going Division 1 or something. Their coach is one of the best youll ever come across

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Butorac winning an ATP doubles title is mind blowing. On TV, you could see that his strokes were the worst on the court, but hustling in doubles goes a long way. You could see him and Murray wanted it wayyyyyy more. I've heard great things about Gustavos.

You hit your forehand a lot like Nadia Petrova. Did you guys ever play any of the top d-2 teams? Ever scrimmage Northwood, the Michigan one?

Butorac winning an ATP doubles title is mind blowing. On TV, you could see that his strokes were the worst on the court, but hustling in doubles goes a long way. You could see him and Murray wanted it wayyyyyy more. I've heard great things about Gustavos.

You hit your forehand a lot like Nadia Petrova. Did you guys ever play any of the top d-2 teams? Ever scrimmage Northwood, the Michigan one?

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Yeah im happy for Butorac he is doing amazing in doubles right now with Murray! He is a great doubles player with his height and serve and net play, also he is an example of how people can be alot better at either singles or doubles. I am pretty even with him for singles but he is now top 45 I think on ATP for doubles now having won about 3 titles which is just as you said more than anyone could ever ask for and I certainly could never accomplish that!

We actually almost played Northwood as we would have met them in the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament but we lost in the round of 32 to Nebraska-Kearney.

Any junior / pretender who even thinks (dreams) they're at this level without actually being at this level, needs to look at the consistency and the footwork (let alone the fitness).

Hitting for a minute-plus with consistent, directed, solidly hit balls? That's high level. Many, many, many steps (too hard to count) between each shot, positioning carefully for each shot? Also high level.

Although the guy probably would beat me more often than lose, I did have a win last summer in a tournament final over a player who made the spring Division 1 singles tournament. I wont mention his name but he played #1 for Minnesota last year and did well, although this year he has done poorly due to a major injury and has played in the middle of their lineup.

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Well, it's not absolute that D1 players are much more better. I know someone had junior ranking in the 100's came to the States played a few Futures went to a D2 and was bageled in some D2 conference. So work it up and good luck

Heres two links I just made of me hitting groundstrokes 2 years ago for a guy that does video analysis. I can put a couple others up later, but for now I have here basic cross court topspin forehands and backhands:

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

I think it's funny that that the people who were the most critical here and in other threads are probably the weakest players and the better players gave credit were it's due.

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Could it have something to do with the fact that we have busted our *rear end* for hours upon hours, and years upon years to get to a good level, and understand the amount of work and dedication it takes, and so would never talk down someone else who worked that hard, whereas those who have never played at a high level who sit on their *rear end* watching tv and listening to commentators who say Roddick is a serve and a forehand, and Agassi can't volley, who go out and hit a few balls with their buddies on the weekends have absolutely no comprehension of the hours of work and pain and frustration it takes, and in some little demented corner of their mind actually believe that with a little practice they could actually compete at that high a level.